Patna: An average of seven people died every day in Bihar due to natural and human-made disasters in 2024–25, according to the state’s latest economic survey, which points to drowning and lightning strikes as the leading causes of death.
The report, tabled by the Nitish Kumar government in the Bihar legislative assembly, shows that 2,547 people lost their lives to disasters over the year. Drowning alone accounted for 2,039 deaths, meaning nearly five people died each day after falling into ponds, rivers and canals across the state.
Lightning strikes emerged as another major threat, with 305 deaths recorded during periods of severe weather in 2024–25. This marked a sharp rise from the 242 lightning-related deaths reported the previous year. While fatalities increased, the number of injuries fell slightly, with 29 people injured by lightning compared with 35 in 2023–24.
The survey also highlighted a growing toll from fire-related incidents. In 2024–25, fires claimed 143 lives in different parts of Bihar, an increase of 25 deaths compared with the previous year. Heatwaves added to the burden, with 34 deaths reported during the same period, nearly three times the 12 fatalities recorded in 2023–24.
Officials say the figures underline the scale of Bihar’s vulnerability to a range of hazards, including floods, droughts, storms and extreme heat. Chandrashekhar Singh, secretary of the state’s disaster management department, told PTI that prevention, preparedness, rescue and rapid response were critical to reducing the loss of life.
“The state government is giving special emphasis to disaster management,” Singh said, adding that authorities remained committed to providing relief and assistance to families affected by disasters.
The findings have renewed calls for stronger safety measures around water bodies, improved early warning systems for lightning and heatwaves, and greater public awareness to prevent avoidable deaths in one of India’s most disaster-prone states.
